Automotive cooling system flushing device



April 1, 1969 H. A. COOLEY 3,435,847

AUTOMOTIVE COOLING SYTEM FLUSHING DEVICE Filed Ja i s, 1966 INVENTOR.

H ENRY A. COOLEY wmbfl My ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,435,847 AUTOMOTIVE COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHING DEVICE Henry A. Cooley, 2134 W. Avalon Drive, Phoenix, Ariz. 85015 Filed Jan. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 518,326 Int. Cl. F01 11/02, 11/06 US. Cl. 137612.1 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention pertains to flushing devices, and more particularly, to devices of the type particularly adapted to be connected to an automotive radiator for flushing the automotive cooling system.

It is frequently necessary to flush an automotive cooling system to remove accumulated rust or foreign matter to thereby restore the efficiency of the system. Prior art devices have been suggested for accomplishing this feat ranging from the simple utilization of a hose placed in the radiator filler opening to complicated devices using gauges, valves, and a variety of indicators.

When flushing an automotive radiator, it is important for the system to be operating under full capacity; fullcapacity operation requires that any thermostat connected in the cooling system fluid or liquid path be opened. Using prior art techniques for flushing automotive cooling systems, cold water is continuously presented to the thermostat, thus restricting the flow of liquid through the engine and thereby militating against the efficient flushing thereof. Further, the flushing efficiency is reduced by running liquid through the cooling system under substantially reduced pressure since the system is left open both at the drain cock of the radiator and the radiator filler opening.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an automotive cooling system flushing device that provides flushing liquid throughout the cooling system, said liquid being at normal operating temperatures.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automotive cooling system flushing device wherein the liquid being circulated throughout the cooling system is at normal operating temperatures.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an automotive cooling system flushing device that permits the flow regulation through the cooling system during the flushing operation to maintain normal operating conditions throughout the system to thereby efiiciently flush the same.

The present invention may more readily be described by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an automotive cooling system flushing device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIGURE 1 taken along line 2-2.

Referring to the drawings, a portion of an automotive radiator is shown at and includes a radiator filler opening 11 to permit addition of liquid therethrough. A neck 12 extends upwardly from around the filler opening to permit the fastening of a conventional radiator cap thereto. The device of the present invention includes "Ice aradiator filler opening closure 13 adapted to fit over the flange 14 of the neck 12. The fastener of the closure is similar to the fastening of a conventional radiator cap; a pressure-relief mechanism including a coil spring 15, a shoe 16, and a gasket 17 are included and form an efiicient seal to prevent the escape of liquid therefrom, In the event that the pressure within the cooling system exceeds the pressure for which the coil spring was designed, the shoe 16 is moved upwardly to compress the spring 15 to thereby permit the escape of liquid and steam to the chamber within the neck 12 and through a drain opening 20 provided therein. The pressure-relief radiator closure including the coil spring and shoe mechanism, as well as the cap 13, is connected to a valve body 25 having a passageway 26 therein communicating to the radiator filler opening 11. The regulator valve includes a manually operable valve 27 connected to a valve stem 28 and threadably positionable with a predetermined distance of the valve seat 29.

The valve stem may be turned by turning the knurled disc 31 to thereby lower or raise the valve in accordance with the desired flow.

The passageway 26 is also connected through appropriate fittings 32 to a pressure indicator 35. 'I he indicator may be calibrated in appropriate units-usually in an appropriate range of pounds per square inch suitable for covering the range of normal automotive cooling system pressures. Means for connecting the valve to a source of liquid under pressure may take the form of a simple hose connector 40 rotatably connected to a threaded stud 41, the latter extending into the valve body. 'In this manner, a hose 45, or other suitable source of liquid under pressure, may conveniently be connected to the regulator valve.

The operation of the automotive cooling system flushin g device of the present invention may now be described. When an automotive cooling system is to be flushed, the drain cock on the radiator is opened, and the radiator cap is removed. The flushing device of the present invention is placed on the radiator filler opening to thereby seal the opening in a manner similar to the seal formed by the cap. The source of liquid under pressure is applied to the regulator valve, and the engine is started. Liquid is thus supplied through the regulator valve through the pressure-relief radiator closure into the radiator and thus through the engine cooling system. The engine, which has been running, heats the liquid thus actuating the thermostat and permitting the liquid to flow through the engine block. The pressure of the system is regulated by adjusting the regulator valve and observing the pressure on the pressure indicator. The pressure is adjusted to the pressure of normal operation for the particular engine being flushed. In this manner, the engine is used to heat the water in a normal fashion to thereby operate the thermostat and permit full liquid flow throughout the cooling system. Further, the system is operated under normal operating pressures to provide more complete access to all the interstices of the engine cooling passageways in a more thorough cleansing action. The device of the present invention permits the flushing of the automotive cooling system under the proper pressure and temperature conditions without necessitating expensive or complicated apparatus; the device is compact and unitary and conveniently attached to the standard radiator filler openings.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present inventions has been described in terms of a specific embodiment; therefore, it is intended that the present embodiment not limit the scope of the invention and that the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

1 claim:

1. An automotive cooling system flushing device for flushing an automotive cooling system at its normal operating temperature and pressure comprising: a pressurerelief radiator closure adapted to fit over a radiator filler opening, said closure including a passageway therethrough for introducing makeup cooling liquid into said system and being preset to vent said system when the pressure therein substantially exceeds the normal operating pressure of said system; a regulator valve communicating with said passageway and having means for adjusting the flow of makeup cooling liquid therethrough; a pressure indicator connected to indicate the pressure of the liquid in said passageway; and means for connecting said valve to a source of makeup cooling liquid under pressure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Grissett 137557 Uhler 137612.1 XR

Calva 137612.1 XR Bealer 137-505.11 Kelley et a1. 137612.1 XR Billington 137-50511 Thierne 137-557 XR Klagues 137612.1 Bolling 137-557 15 SAMUEL SCOTT, Primary Examiner. 

